Veteran actor Asha Parekh was the star of the 68th National Film Awards on Friday as she was presented with the Dada Saheb Phalke Award.
But Malayalam singer Nanjiyamma too received a standing ovation as she stepped on to the platform in the Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi to receive the Best Female Playback Singer award from the President of India, Droupadi Murmu.Her beaming face brought a smile across the auditorium and it seemed Nanjiyamma was herself overwhelmed; her simplicity easily discernible as she acknowledged those applauding her. Nanjiyamma, the tribal singer from Attapadi had earned her award with the beautiful rendition of ‘Kalakatha’ in popular Malayalam movie ‘Ayyappanum Koshiyum’ directed by the late Sachy.But Nanjiyamma continued to be a star attraction of the event throughout the day as she sang a few lines of her award-winning song for Asha Parekh.
Ajay Devgn received the National Award for Best Actor for his film Tanhaji: The Unsung Hero. This is Devgn’s third Best Actor award
Ajay Devgn shared his award with Soorarai Pottru actor Suriya. Soorarai Pottru also won Best Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Background Score and Best Feature Film awards.
Lyricist, poet and screenwriter Manoj Muntashir received the National award for Best Lyrics for his song in Saina.
Varun Buddhadev, the lead actor of Toolsidas Junior, earned a special mention from the jury at the 68th National Awards.
ThEagle News 